Can cap



Dec. 12, 1933. s O PAULL 1,939,022

CAN CAP Filed June 24, 1930 gmwwfm IIWEIIH 7 Jrf/VIZZ dflswzz (IMA 30channel are rigidly secured to the cap plate, an

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 r v 1,939,022 NT OFFICE CAN CAP Samuel OQPaull,Wellsburg, W. Va., assignor to Eagle Manufacturing Company, Wellsburg,W. Va., a corporationof West Virginia Application June 24, 1930. SerialNo. 463,521 12 Claims. (ol. 220-94 v This invention is directed to animprovement in containers or cans for liquids to be poured therefrom asrequired for use and to be'conveniently refilled when desired, theinvention being more particularly concerned with the provision of a'"cap for the filling opening and for the spout of such containers andcans and the provision of means on the can with which the caps maycooperate, with such means arranged inwardly of the surface of the canto avoid possibility of breakage or'distortion in use.

The can of the present invention is provided with a cap-receivingflangecarried by the upper wall of the can and depending inwardly with respectto the can, to thereby avoid any upstanding threadedflange asconventionallyv provided and channel to provide abrupt shoulders,in'which channel and bearing against which shoulders there is arrangedthe terminals, of a strip, forming above the cap plate a substantiallyoval handle. The terminals of the strip seated within the with thebearing of these terminals against the shoulders of thechannel there isprovided such a rigid connection between the handle and cap as toprevent possibility of their disconnection in a r The invention isillustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showing the can in pouring positionand illustrating the use of the improved cap handle for holding the canduring the pouring operation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view with the parts of the cap separated.Figure 3 is an enlarged broken transverse section through the completecap.

Figure 4 is a similar view taken at right angles to that of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a broken sectional view showing the cap in cooperation withthe can and illustrating more particularly the sealing function of thecap.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the completed cap. Figure '7 is an enlargedbroken view, more or less diagrammatic, taken on the line 7-7 of Fi ure8.

Figure 8 is a section on the line'88 of Figure 7. i

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modifiedform of cap.

Figure 10 is a transverse section of the same,

50 the can being indicatedin dotted lines.

cap plate. tions 11 are formed in the edge of the cap plate The improvedcan, conventionally designed for the reception of oil, gasoline or thelike, is indicated at 1, the filling opening 2 being defined by an edgeflange 3 which depends from the top of the can and terminates inaninwardly extending lip 4. The flange 3 isthreaded and it is, of course,a separate element from the can being interconnected therewith in anyappropriate manner to form a rigid part thereof.

The improved cap is made up primarily of three parts, a threaded flange5, a cap plate 6 and a handle '7. The threaded flange is of annularsection, threaded, of course, to cooperate with the threads of theflange 3 of the can top, the cap flange 5 having at its free lower edgean inwardly extending lip 8 to bear on the lip 4 of the can flange. Theupper edge of the cap flange 5.has an outwardly extending margin' 9providing means for interf ttin'g the cap plate and flange.

The cap plate 6 has a central, raised portion 10 and a marginal edge ofappreciable width beyond the raised portion. In securing the cap flange5 and cap plate'6 together, the marginal edge of the cap plate is turnedback in part over the outwardly extending margin 9 of the cap flange 5,

such marginal edge of the cap plate being then pressed onto the lowersurfaceof the margin 9 of the cap flange 5. Thus the cap plate at itsedge embraces the outwardly extending margin 9 of the cap flange 5'andthus secures the cap plate and cap flange together, while presenting asmooth, unbroken and non-sharp edge for the If desired, and aspreferred, indentato interlock the returned bend of the cap plate andthemargin-9 of the cap flange 5 and thereby prevent relative turning of thecap flange and cap plate, thus securing the capplate and flange as aunit. In shipping gasoline and oil, and particularly the former, it isimportant that the cap be practically sealed in place to preventevaporation or leakage of the contents. The relation of the cap flangeto the edge flange 3 of the body is such that when the projecting flangeof the cap as an entirety bears on the top of the can, the lip 8 at thebottom of the cap'flange 5 exerts an appreciable pressure on the lip 4of the can flange 3. This pressureis suflicient toslightly deflectthe'lip 4 and insure a sealing contact between the lips 8 and 4' toprevent any possibility of leakage or evaporation of the contents of thecan.

Thus all independent gaskets, which are a con-' stant source ofannoyance as well as expense, are

entirely avoided and the can issealed each and every time the cap, isfully seated. Furthermore,

the can may be vented to admit air for the pouring operation by a slightturning of the cap, the indentations 11 serving to assist in the airadmission. The inwardly extending edge flange 30f the can naturallyserves as a baflle to prevent splashing or accidental outflow of thecontents of the can, thus presenting a material advantage over theconventional outstanding cap flange.

The raised portion 10 of the cap plate is formed with a transversechannel 12 extending diametrically of such raised portion, the sidewalls of the terminals of the handle section abut squarely throughouttheir lengths against the abrupt shoulders 13 defining such depression.The

thickness of the material forming the handle' section correspondsapproximately'to the depth ,oif the depression 12, so thatwhen thehandle section is in place the top of the cap throughout that areaoccupied by the handle section is substantially even or flush. 7 v

The portions of the handle section held within the depression 12 are tobe firmly secured to the cap plate, and while this may be effectivelycarried out'by welding, it is, of course, obvious that other means forsecuring the handle section in place as a rigid part of the cap plate isI contemplated as within the spirit of the present invention.

With particular reference to Figures 9 and 10, it will be noted that theprovision of the improved handle is shown as applied to a more or lessconventional cap, wherein the cap indicated at. 15 is pressed orotherwise formed from a single piece of metal presenting an upper wall16 having a raised portion 16 similar to the preferred form and an edgeflange '17, with the lat-. ter threaded to cooperate with the usualupstanding, threaded flange-on the can top, as indicated at 18 inFigure. 10. Thus the, cap in its general form and cooperation with thecan is of the conventional type.

For the purposes of the invention, the top of the cap, that is, theupper wall 16, is formed with a diametrically disposed channel 19, theedges of which present abrupt shoulders 20. The handle a 21, identicalwith the handle of the preferred form, has its terminals 22 seated inthe channel 19 bearing squarely against the edges or shoulders 20.Welding or other securing means unites the handle. and cap.- This formof handle v is contemplated as being applied to the capordinarilyemployed for closing the'spout 23 of the can. V

The preferred form of cap is designed for cooperation with a threadedflange on the can top which is disposed wholly below the upper surfaceof such can top. This construction will effectively prevent thecap-receiving flange of the can from being marred, distorted or brokenduring handling or transportation, which liability is a continuingdisadvantage of the types of cans in which the cap-receiving flangeextends upward- 1y above the top of the can. Furthermore, by

the provision of the improved and preferred form, of cap, the cap plateextends over the edge of the ,fillingopening, and when the cap isapplied, seats more or less snugly against the top of the can proper,thus insuring the avoidance of undue obstruction and presenting a verymuch better appearance than in the conventional can. Furthermore, withthe cap-receiving flange of the can extending inwardly of the can, thereis greater facility in filling the can and drip is more liable to flowinto the can than where the cap flange extends upwardly from the cantop.

The major dimension of the handle section above the cap proper ispreferably somewhat greater-than the diameter of the cap, it beingappreciated in this connection that neither the length nor height of thehandle above the cap is limited in any way by the cap, for the handlepresentsno obstruction to any part of the container orcap, and thereforecanbe made in any desired size, though in any event it should be of aninterior area suflic'ient to conveniently accommodate the hand of theuser.

The cap as thus provided constitutes a rigid unity embodying a capproper and a rigid metallic loopelike handle fixed to the cap,'with theconnectionbetween the handle and cap such as to prevent separation underany possible use of the cap; The handle of the cap is used in apply ingand removing the cap, and by the convenient handhold afforded, theapplication and removal of the cap will be materially facilitatedwithout the use of any particular tool or tools for the purpose, nomatter how badly the cap may be jammed. If the cap is jammed beyond thepower of the muscular effort of the user to remove it by the gripaiforded by the handle, any convenient lever such as a stick,screw-driver or any like implement, one or the other of which is'alwaysconvenient, may be passed through the handle and the cap levered off inan obvious manner.

In connection with containers for gasoline, it will be appreciated'thatthe cap, when the container isnot in use, is tobetightly screwed inplace to prevent evaporation. This necessitates, when desiring to pourfrom the container, that thelcap be slightly loosened to permit thenecessary entrance of air. This requires, of course, the slight turningof the cap, and with the cap heretofore provided this necessitates theuse of a tool, such as a wrench, for turning the cap even to the slightextent required. With the improved cap, this slight'turning may bereadily and conveniently carried out through the'use of the handlewithout requiring any tool or experiencing-any difficulty in theoperation.

Another and important advantage in connection with the improved cap isthe utilization of the handle of the cap as a'means for transportingthe'can from place to place or lifting it for the pouring operation."Ordinarily such cans are provided with a'hinged bail for carryingpurposes. With the improved cap, which does not, however, contemplatedispensing with the usual bail, the user after screwing the cap inplace, or in loosening the capto admit air during the pouring operation,may thereafter conveniently and simply, without releasing his grip onthe cap handle,'utilize such handle as a means for transporting the canfrom place to place or as a means for insuring a firm grip and controlof the container during the pouring'operation. 'Thus the'handle cap isof material advantage in containers for which it is designed, servingnot'only in its primary purpose as a means 'for conveniently applyingand certainly insuringthe removal of the cap without the necessity'of aparticular tool or tools, but also as a means by which the container maybe conveniently handled both in transportation and in pouring.

bail-like handle and illustrated as closing the ticularly for cans.containing gasoline, oil= and the like, say of five gallons capacity,for in the use of such containersboth in filling andpour ing, theincident weight-isa material matter to be considered and the cap itselfis: frequently required tobe removed or applied under condi-- tionswherea tool, if such is required,is ordinari-- 1y not convenientlyaccessible; For these purposes, the improved'top is ofmaterial and im-'-portant advantage in connection with such containers. The easeandfacility with which the cap. of this invention maybe applied andremoved without the use of any tools, the construction which permits theuser to apply the necessary muscular effort for the removal of the capwhen necessary, and the facility with which the handle of the cappermits the handling of the container in transportation and pouring,presents desired features of important advantage over priorcaps for thispurpose.

The cap proper is, of course, of ordinary and conventional form otherthan in the provision of the transverse depression, and the metal of thehandle may be such as to secure the proper unity with the cap and'theproper rigidity'to afford the advantages in use and operationabovereferred to. H

As previously stated, the user, by operating the cap through the mediumof the bail-like handle, may slightly turn the cap to admit air to theinterior of the container and at the same time position the bail-likehandle substantially trans verse the container and, without releasingthe grip on the cap handle, raise the can and place the other handunderthe bottom of the can to tilt the can for pouring. 'In this pouringoperation, it will be noted that by reason of the rigid relationof thebail-like handle with the cap'and the fact that the cap remainsconnected with the container, the canis heldrigidly during the pouringoperation and liability of misdirecting the liquid, which is at alltimes incident to a pouring operation when supporting the can by theusual swinging bail, is entirely prevented. The can is rigidly supportedand the liquid may be poured therefrom with certainty of direction andflow.

It is, of course, to be understood that, as previously referredto, thecap with the improved filling opening for the container is equallyadapted for use in connection with closing the pouring spout. Incontainers of this character, the pouring spout, as well as the fillingopening, is closed by a cap and it is understood that this cap for thespout may, if desired, be provided with an appropriate bail-like handlecorresponding in all respects to that described and shown in connectionwith the cap for the filling opening. It is not deemed necessary toillustrate such a cap for the pouring spout, as such would be a mereduplication, but it is understood that the invention contemplates suchuse so that both caps may be appropriately supplied with means forconveniently applying and removing the same without the use of anyextraneous tools.

I claim:

1. A screw cap for containers having a plain upper wall and an annularthreaded flange depending from the edge thereof, a rigidly connected,bail-like handle secured to and extended wholly above the upper wall ofthe cap, the upper wall of the cap and handle being formed forinterlocking against independent turning movement, the interlockingcooperation 'of the .cap and handle extending from substantially theouter edge of the cap for an appreciable distance toward the center ofthe cap,whereby to interlockthe cap and handle throughout the area of.80

maxirnum' s'train tending'to separation in the turning of the cap. 7

2. A screw cap for containers formed with a diametric depressionpresenting abrupt shoulders, and a loop handle arranged above andsecured to the cap, the material of the handle fitting: in saiddepression, with the edges of the material bearing squarely against saidshoulders.

3. A'screw cap for containers formed with a diametric depressionpresenting abrupt shoulders, an elongated oval handle section of rigidmetal having one major length squarely seated in said depression tointerlockthe handle with the cap and dispose the loop portion'of thehandle Wholly above the upper surface of the cap, and meansforpermanently securing the handle and cap as a rigid unity.

' 4. A screw cap for containers including an an nular, externallythreaded flange having an out turned, upper margin, a cap plate havingits marginal edge formed in a return bend to embrace said upper marginof the cap flange, said cap plateoverlying said cap flange and beingformed with a diametric depression presenting abrupt marginalshoulders,and a loop handle arranged above and secured tothe cap plate, a portionof said handle being secured in said depression and bearing against theshoulders thereof. g

5. A screw cap for containers including an annular, externally threadedflange having an outturned, upper margin, a cap plate having a centralraised portion and a marginal edge, such marginal edge formed in areturnbend to embrace saidupper-margin of the cap flange, said 115 cap'plateoverlying said. cap flange, such central raised portion being formedwith a diametric depression presenting abrupt, marginal shoulders, andaloophandle arranged above and securedto the cap plate, a portion ofsaid han-. dle being secured in said depression and bearing against theshoulders thereof.

6. A screw cap for containers including an annular, externally threadedflange having an outturned, upper margin, a cap plate having a centralraised portion and a marginal edge, such marginal edge formed in areturn bend to embrace said upper margin of the cap flange, said capplate overlying said cap flange, such central raised portion beingformed with a diametric depression presenting abrupt, marginalshoulders, and a loop handle arranged above and secured to the capplate, a portion of said handle being secured in said depression andbearing against the shoulders thereof, the return bend of the cap plateand the upper margin of the cap flange being together formed withupwardly extending indentations to lock the cap flange and cap plateagainst relative rotation and to provide air admission in an initialopening po- 40 sition of the cap, the central raised portions at eachside of the diametric depression presenting abutments reinforcing theshoulder at the edge of the depression and thereby reinforcing therigidity of the handle mounting on the cap.

7. A container cap including an upper plain wall and a dependingthreaded annular flange and a bail rigidly secured to said cap, saidbail including a portion extending diametrically of and in contact withthe upper plain wall of the and wholly free of the upper wall of thecap, the

handle engaging portion being of greater length than the cap engagingportion and exceeding'the diameter of the upper plain wall of the cap,the cap engaging portion of the bail and the cap being relatively formedto ensure aninterlocking of the upper plain wall of the capand of thecap engaging portion of the bail to prevent independent turning of thebail relativeto the cap.

8. The combination with a container having a filling opening, aninwardly directed edge flange coincident with the opening, said flangeforming a sealing edge about the opening, the inner end of the flangebeing formed with a laterally directed deformable lip, of a cap having adepending flange to cooperate with the edge flange of the container inseating the cap, the edge of the cap being designed to cooperate withthe sealing edge about the opening, the inner end of the dependingflange of the cap being formed to provide a lip to cooperate with thelip on the inner flange of the container, the arrangement of the partsbeing such that the lips of the container and cap are brought into.contact vimmediately preceding the sealing cooperation of the cap withthe sealing edge about the container opening whereby in the completeseating movement of the cap the lip ontheinner flange of the containeris deformed under pressure from and in relativev sliding contact withthe lip onthe depending flange of the cap to thereby ensure a sealingcooperation between the lips.

9. A screw cap for containers and a bail-like handle rigidly securedthereto, said handle having an upper portion disposed wholly above theplane of the cap and a lower portion interfltting with the cap, saidlower portion extending diametrically of the cap, the material of thecap'in the area cooperating with the lowerportion of the handle beingformed to provide abutmentsbetween which the lower portion of the handleis received and which prevent-independent turning movement of the handlerelative to the cap.

10'. A screw cap for containers and a bail-like handle rigidly securedthereto, said handle having an upper portion disposed wholly above theplane of the cap and a lower portion interfltting with the cap, saidlower portion extending diametrically of the cap, the material of thecap in the area cooperating with the lower portion of the handle beingformed to provide abutments between which the lower portion of thehandle is received and which prevent independent turning movement of thehandle relative to the cap, the said abutments providing walls extendingthroughout the full diameter of the cap.

11. A screw cap for containers and a bail-like handle rigidly securedthereto, said handle having an upper portion disposed wholly above theplane of the cap and a lower portion interfltting with the cap, saidlower portion extending diametrically of the cap, the material of thecap in the area cooperating with the lower portion of the handle beingformed to provide abutments between which'the lower portion of thehandle is received and which prevent independent turning movement of thehandle relative to the cap, the said abutments providing walls extendingthroughout the full diameter of the cap, with the said .walls spacedapart a distance to accurately receive the lower portion of the handle;

12. A screw cap for containers and a bail-like handle rigidly securedthereto, said handle having anupper portion disposed wholly above theplane of the cap and a lower portion interfltting with the cap, saidlower portion extending diametrically of the cap, the material of thecap in the area cooperating with the lower portion of the handle beingformed to provide abutments between which the lower portion of thehandle is received and which prevent independent turning movement of thehandlerelative to the cap, the said abutments providing walls extendingthroughout the full diameter of the cap, with the said walls spacedapart a distance toaccurately receive the lower portion of the handle,the lower portion'of the handle exceedingthe length of said walls andextending in both directio beyond the side edge of the cap. I

" SAMUEL O. PAULL.

